Do LPNs Get the Respect They Deserve?

KaroSnowQueen, RN · May 3, 2004

It depends on your scope of practice, which varies by state which is the DUMBEST thing I have ever heard of. In the state I currently practice in, there are several things I can't do, hang blood, give IV push meds, etc.

In the other state I have practiced in, which is 20 minutes away, I can do those things, and have never run into anything yet that I can't do. Although I will say both states have let me work in ER.

I have been an LPN for 20 years and have had many an RN ask me "how do you do X" so I think experience and knowledge have more to do with it than your degree.

itsme · May 3, 2004

I just think that respect is something that is earned, not a given. No matter what your degree. I am an LPN, I know my scope of practice, and I do my job well. I have EARNED respect from coworkers, I did not just assume I would get it.

NursesRmofun, ASN, RN · May 5, 2004

I just think that respect is something that is earned, not a given. No matter what your degree. I am an LPN, I know my scope of practice, and I do my job well. I have EARNED respect from coworkers, I did not just assume I would get it.

Definitely true in that. I was proud to be an "on the ball" LPN when I was a LPN for many years. People said they thought I was a RN (after knowing me and working with me.) In general, I think most LPNs that I have met are great nurses. I think LPNs get a lot of respect.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · May 5, 2004

Respect is definately something earned, but at my last job, the open hostility between the RNs and LPNs was ridiculous. Everytime a particular LPN and RN got into an arguement, that RN always muttered "she oughta go and become a real nurse before she ever tries to tell me what to do again". The whole situation lacked respect, but then again, no one was doing anythign to earn it either.

NursesRmofun, ASN, RN · May 5, 2004

Respect is definately something earned, but at my last job, the open hostility between the RNs and LPNs was ridiculous. Everytime a particular LPN and RN got into an arguement, that RN always muttered "she oughta go and become a real nurse before she ever tries to tell me what to do again". The whole situation lacked respect, but then again, no one was doing anythign to earn it either.

It's a tough thing....with probably no end in sight. It happens. Some RNs feel that LPNs should think it is a given that they know more or make better decisions,...but in some circumstances, it is not true. Sometimes a LPN has come across a situation before or has read up on something and knows more than a particular RN about a certain topic. None of us know everything. Sometimes we don't make the best decision 100% of the time. We all need to listen to the other person....We might learn something. :)

I recently had an encounter with a BSN and had similar problems. Because she is a BSN, she thinks she has all the right answers 100% of the time. She doesn't.

nurturing_angel · May 7, 2004

I am a RN and let me tell you, I have worked with many LPN's that are just plain awesome.......they are knowledgeable, professional and respectful of both RNs and patients. I could not have asked to work with better co-workers. We have LPN's on my med surg floor and some of them know wayyyyy more than some of the RN's I work with and I definately have 2 LPN's that I would prefer to have backing me up over one of the RN's.

Don't let some rumors scare you about a RN/LPN feud. Learn your stuff and be proud of your profession. Plenty of us RN's respect you!

:balloons:

tiona · May 7, 2004

I am a RN and let me tell you, I have worked with many LPN's that are just plain awesome.......they are knowledgeable, professional and respectful of both RNs and patients. I could not have asked to work with better co-workers. We have LPN's on my med surg floor and some of them know wayyyyy more than some of the RN's I work with and I definately have 2 LPN's that I would prefer to have backing me up over one of the RN's.
Don't let some rumors scare you about a RN/LPN feud. Learn your stuff and be proud of your profession. Plenty of us RN's respect you!
:balloons:

Bless you. You ARE an angel! I just started as a new grad in LTC, my RN preceptor is full of praise and tells me that I don't belong in LTC. Unfortunately in my area I don't have a choice right now. I am very medically knowledgable and it was such a pleasure to get such kudos from an RN. There are "good and bad" nurses. The initials behind the name don't tell the story....the proof is in the pudding. Mutual respect is so very important. We don't have time to do battle, we all have people to care for!

hopefully · May 9, 2004

I am a LPN student...The RN instructor treats me like crap..

Dixiedi · May 9, 2004

At this point in time it's almost a funny story.

30 years ago when I was a student LPN, a classmate asked the instructor a question. I don't even remember what it was now but I do remember her answer. It was: "Y'all are only gonna be LPNs, you don't need to know that."

It was the last question she answered. Several of us went to our administrator and inquired as to why she would say something like that. She was fired immediately. This one nurse set the stage for us all those years ago.

Simple fact is, if you know enough to ask a question, you need to know the answer. Period.

Point is, there are many predjudices in nursing and many of those come from RNs who have no idea what LPNs study in school. Since these RNs do not know enough to ask a question to find out our level of education, they don't need to know the answer. They could not understand it.

Think of this for a minute.

When I went to LPN school, preadmission testing required collegiate level scores in the humanities, sciences and English. Then we spent 12 months studying nursing courses. We used the same text books a couple of the RN programs in town were using for at least two of our courses. (one was Good Samaritan Hospital Diploma Program and the other was the University of Cincinati BSN program)

The ADN program in town offers 2 school years of classes. 9 months each. 1/2 of that is spent in ... what? the same things my school required us to test in before admission. Who got more nursing education? (I won't even go into the sorry excuse the ADN and BSN programs have for clinical experience when compared to our LPN program!)

Any predjudiices in nursing are stemming from ignorance. Ignore it, it's part of human life, it, unfortunately, will never go away.

I have worked in numerous states. Always had to have an RN in the building in acute care. Needed an RN "on-call" in long term care and home care. And I don't ever remember having to call them because I was legally unable to perform my duties.

I am rambling. Nursing education is and always has been a hot topic for me. Sorry but I sure do love the opportunity to vent!

:)

sixes · May 9, 2004

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just a little history first. i was a health care aid and then became a registered nurse assistant then a registered nurse. last year i took a job in ltc as a supervisor, now i am a charge nurse.

i have the greatest respect for anyone working on my floor regardless of their personal title.

the hca's work their fingers to the bone, they never hestitate to do something if i ask and the lpn's/rna's are very hard working.

i seldom need to give them direction. when they ccome to me for direction they are informative and have all the information gathered for me to make an informed decision. rarely they have misjudged something.

i personally love having rpn's. at out facility the only things lpn's can't do are the following. injections, cathetars unless they have been certified. g-tube feedings.

i love my lpn's they are intellegent and dedicated

if you want hands on in ltc lpn is the way to go if you want to push a lot of paper then rn is the way to go

it is all a very personal choice

good luck in whatever you do

Dixiedi · May 9, 2004

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at out facility the only things lpn's can't do are the following. injections, cathetars unless they have been certified. g-tube feedings.

that's seems like about all i do! cath, meds/injections/g-tube,g-button feeds and change the above when needed. where do you work?

NursesRmofun, ASN, RN · May 9, 2004

When I went to LPN school, preadmission testing required collegiate level scores in the humanities, sciences and English. Then we spent 12 months studying nursing courses. We used the same text books a couple of the RN programs in town were using for at least two of our courses. (one was Good Samaritan Hospital Diploma Program and the other was the University of Cincinati BSN program)
The ADN program in town offers 2 school years of classes. 9 months each. 1/2 of that is spent in ... what? the same things my school required us to test in before admission. Who got more nursing education? (I won't even go into the sorry excuse the ADN and BSN programs have for clinical experience when compared to our LPN program!)
Any predjudiices in nursing are stemming from ignorance. Ignore it, it's part of human life, it, unfortunately, will never go away.
I have worked in numerous states. Always had to have an RN in the building in acute care. Needed an RN "on-call" in long term care and home care. And I don't ever remember having to call them because I was legally unable to perform my duties.
I am rambling. Nursing education is and always has been a hot topic for me. Sorry but I sure do love the opportunity to vent!
:)

Are you saying that LPNs in your school, community, or area of your state get more education that RNs? That's very interesting. Why not just call yourself an RN and call it a day. I know. I know....You don't *want* to be a RN. :uhoh3: